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The money was raised by over 80 representatives from 15 housing providers who joined forces to raise money at the GMHP inaugural HR Housing Summit in late 2018.

Organised by Equity Housing Group and Great Places Housing Group, and hosted by Stockport Homes in October 2018, the conference was a ticketed event, with all of the ticket sales going towards the donation for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.

With over 5,500 homeless people across Greater Manchester and 250 people sleeping rough, Andy Burnham has made ending sleeping rough by 2020 one of his top Mayoral priorities. The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund is his initiative to do so, as it supports frontline projects which are in line with the fund’s objective.

Initiatives that have been supported by the fund so far include: building specialised supported accommodation for young people that don’t have access to education, volunteering and employment opportunities, expanding mental health and rehabilitation programmes, and bringing empty properties back into use for people threatened with becoming homeless. This work by Andy Burnham, along with his personal donation of 15% of his mayoral salary, was praised at the GMHP event.

The cheque was presented to Andy Burnham at Equity Housing Group’s offices on 6 February. Andy Burnham commented on the event and donation saying: “‘The huge level of commitment and support being shown by the Greater Manchester Housing Providers to help tackle the issues surrounding homelessness is evident. We know that homelessness is an outcome of a number of differing factors, some of which are not easily solved, the root of the issue lies a lot deeper.

“This donation by GMHP to the Mayor’s Homelessness fund helps to solidify the approach we take in breaking down these barriers. I am very grateful to be in receipt of such collective support from across the region.”

Geraldine Kay, Interim Chief Executive at Equity Housing Group said: “We are thrilled with the success of the event and with the £1800 raised for the Mayor’s Homelessness Fund, which supports a cause that all GM housing providers feel really passionate about.”